HoJo restaurants fading fast
Orange-roofed icon dying of neglect
The orange roof is long gone and the Simple Simon plaque is history. The famous 28 flavors of ice cream have dwindled to 16 varieties.
But at least the Howard Johnson name sits atop the building, which is a lot more than hundreds of one-time Howard Johnson's eateries can say. The venerable chain once had more than 800 restaurants from coast to coast, but these days you can count them on two hands.
Some fear that HoJo's and its trademark orange roofs, fried clams and timeless air will soon go the way of the Studebaker, a victim of modern times and increased competition. If that happens, an icon of American dining and one of the nation's first full-service restaurant chains will disappear.
Waitress Kathe Jewett has watched sadly as other HoJo restaurants nationwide have been shuttered, torn down or converted into other restaurants, a fitness center, a gift shop, a bank and even a car dealership. Jewett, who calls her customers "dear," started working here fresh out of high school 39 years ago, and has seen generations pass through these doors.
"It's a way of life," said Jewett. "Now there are chain restaurants on every corner."
External Source - For the complete article click here
Source - MSNBC
But at least the Howard Johnson name sits atop the building, which is a lot more than hundreds of one-time Howard Johnson's eateries can say. The venerable chain once had more than 800 restaurants from coast to coast, but these days you can count them on two hands.
Some fear that HoJo's and its trademark orange roofs, fried clams and timeless air will soon go the way of the Studebaker, a victim of modern times and increased competition. If that happens, an icon of American dining and one of the nation's first full-service restaurant chains will disappear.
Waitress Kathe Jewett has watched sadly as other HoJo restaurants nationwide have been shuttered, torn down or converted into other restaurants, a fitness center, a gift shop, a bank and even a car dealership. Jewett, who calls her customers "dear," started working here fresh out of high school 39 years ago, and has seen generations pass through these doors.
"It's a way of life," said Jewett. "Now there are chain restaurants on every corner."
External Source - For the complete article click here
Source - MSNBC
